CSK’s captain felt dropped catches contributed to their having to chase “20 runs extra” on a “sticky” pitch

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Mar-2025It was Chennai Super Kings’ worst defeat by a runs margin at their fortress, the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and it ended an eight-match winning streak at that venue against their southern rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru. CSK were never really in the game after they slipped to 26 for 3 in a chase of 197, and their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad felt they should not have been chasing a target of that magnitude in the first place.Gaikwad suggested at the post-match presentation that 170 was a par score on a pitch that he described as “sticky”.Related

Spellbinding Hazlewood and RCB conquer Chepauk and CSK

Fleming: 'No home advantage at Chepauk'

CSK vs RCB: The good, the bad, the silly and the ugly

Patidar, bowlers lead RCB to first win over CSK in Chennai since 2008

“To be honest, I still feel 170 was a par score on this wicket,” he said. “It wasn’t that great to bat [on] but probably bad day in the field cost us really badly. [At the] end of the day, when you’re chasing 170, you bat differently, you kind of have little bit of time when you go in to bat, but when you’re chasing 20 runs extra on a wicket where you know it’s going to be sticky, and going to stop [on the batter] after the ball gets old, you have to bat slightly differently in the powerplay.”RCB captain Rajat Patidar was the chief beneficiary of CSK’s bad day in the field. Deepak Hooda and Rahul Tripathi put him down in the 12th and 13th overs, when he was on 17 and 19. Then, later in that 13th over, Khaleel Ahmed put in a dive at short third when Patidar, now on 20, edged one in his direction, only for the ball to fall marginally short of him.Patidar went on to top-score with 51 off 32 balls. All the drops, Gaikwad felt, prevented CSK’s spin attack of Noor Ahmad, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja from being able to put pressure on new batters at the crease.Ravindra Jadeja is distraught after Patidar is put down off his bowling•AFP/Getty Images”Definitely a different scenario when you have three world-class spinners in your team,” Gaikwad said. “You want a new batter to face them. That’s where I think the game changes a lot as well, even the last game changed a lot, and it just didn’t really happen this time.”They just kept going, we dropped catches at crucial times, and there was always an extra six or extra boundary that was coming after that. So just think the momentum kept going and it didn’t really stop till the last over.”CSK lost Tripathi and Gaikwad early in their chase with both batters out while taking on the short ball notwithstanding Josh Hazlewood’s steep bounce. Gaikwad felt the magnitude of the target forced the batters to take more chances than they otherwise might have.”We know Rahul backs his shots, and I went and backed my shots as well. Sometimes it works, sometimes doesn’t. But as I said, there are times when you have par score in your mind, and probably when you’re chasing 20 runs extra, you always want to be a step ahead of the game while you’re chasing. That’s what the thinking was. Didn’t really work out but still happy that we didn’t lose by a big margin and at the end it was just 50 runs.”That Gaikwad described CSK’s biggest home defeat in those terms suggested he was making an effort not to overreact to the result; he said it was inevitable for teams to have results of this kind in a tournament of the IPL’s length.”We just have to turn up mentally and just look at which are the areas we can improve,” he said, when asked what CSK would do in the short turnaround between this game and their next one, against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Sunday. “Definitely you’re going to have a bad day batting and bowling in a tournament like IPL, but I feel the fielding has to improve a lot, and I think we should come back stronger in the fielding department.”

Arsenal have their eyes on an “extraordinary” attacker amid their transfer talks for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.

Andrea Berta has enjoyed an extremely busy and productive first summer window at the Emirates Stadium already, and Hincapie could be their latest in a long line of excellent additions for Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners have quietly transformed their squad this summer through purposeful reinforcements, with Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks, Martín Zubimendi anchoring the midfield, Christian Nørgaard offering depth, Noni Madueke adding pace on the wing, Cristhian Mosquera bolstering the defence, Viktor Gyökeres adding a proven goal return and Eberechi Eze injecting serious creativity behind the striker as their new number 10 in place of the injured Kai Havertz.

While Berta’s spending has been lavish, with reports placing the total close to or over £270 million, it has been strategically spread across key positions rather than wasted on a single marquee name.

This approach has reinforced multiple areas across the pitch and allows for serious tactical flexibility, as well as responding to the inevitable injuries of a demanding season – which has already happened following Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka’s injuries last weekend.

While Saka is expected to miss four weeks, Odegaard could play against Liverpool on Sunday (football.london). Still, the north Londoners now have quality players to jump in their place, unlike last season.

Arsenal have covered every base: creativity, goals, stability and versatility. With the structure now there, Arteta’s side look ready and raring to take the final step and bring home a Premier League trophy after over two decades of waiting.

They’ve already made an excellent start to the campaign, scoring six goals in two games whilst conceding zero – beating both Man United and Leeds respectively as Arteta’s side gear up for a tough trip to Anfield.

Despite their flurry of transfer activity this summer, they may not be done there, with Arsenal in talks to sign Piero Hincapie after agreeing terms with the Ecuador international as a replacement for FC Porto-bound Jakub Kiwior.

As well as this, with Arsenal often conducting their transfer plans months in advance, the club are scouting future targets.

Arsenal targeting Ajax forward Oscar Gloukh

As per The Mail and journalist Simon Jones, Arsenal have their eyes on four young stars ahead of potential moves, and one of them is highly-rated Ajax forward Oscar Gloukh.

The Israel international has only just signed for Ajax this summer from RB Salzburg for around £12.5 million, but Arsenal are believed to be eyeing Gloukh as a potential future signing alongside the likes of Jon Martin (Real Sociedad), Arnau Martinez (Girona) and Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjælland).

The 21-year-old Gloukh is a particularly interesting name, as he’s been linked with a move to the Premier League before and already boasts a fantastic reputation.

Leeds United are looking to finish the transfer window in strong fashion, but not everyone is convinced about the latest name who is set for a move to Elland Road.

Leeds United agree deal to sign James Justin from Leicester City

With their Premier League comeback now underway, Mike McGrath has confirmed that Leeds are set to sign James Justin for £10 million as he enters the final year of his contract at Leicester City.

He stated on X: “Leicester have agreed a deal worth £10m with Leeds for James Justin. The England-capped full-back, 27, having medical at LUFC.”

Earning an instant return after the Foxes’ relegation last season, Justin registered four goals and two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, though couldn’t help his side reverse the tide under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

More recently, he has featured in two of Leicester’s three opening fixtures, starring in their win against Sheffield Wednesday and 2-1 loss to Preston North End. Still, not everyone is convinced by his arrival at Elland Road.

News UK journalist Charlie Carmichael has claimed the Foxes have done an “unbelievable” job to take in £10 million given his contract situation and recent form at the King Power Stadium, believing he was “miles off” top flight level.

Putting that to the test, there are plenty of conflicting opinions on Leeds’ latest capture as they look to stay in the top-flight for the foreseeable future.

Should Leeds United be bringing Justin to Elland Road?

After a 5-0 defeat to Arsenal that exposed Leeds’ defensive frailties, news that Justin is on his way hasn’t pleased the Yorkshire giants’ support in their entirety, it is fair to say. First of all, his £10 million price-tag is steep, in context, considering he would’ve been available for free next summer.

Albeit, the Whites have spent £91.3 million and he would come in as their joint-sixth most expensive addition of the window alongside Gabriel Gudmunsson. Still, shelling out a reasonable fee for someone out of form is hardly inspiring, especially in a world where adhering to PSR regulations is becoming pivotal to clubs that can establish themselves in the Premier League.

Last term, Fotmob calculate that Justin was dribbled past 23 times and lost the ball 15 times in the top-flight, picking up six yellow cards in the process, with his defensive frailties highlighted by a video circulating on social media. Of course, plying his trade for a side who were nailed-on relegation candidates from the start didn’t help, but he also delivered a dribble success rate of 40.9%, which is hardly ideal when it comes to structuring build-up play efficiently.

Despite possessing significant talent, Justin lost almost 45% of his aerial duels in the same timeframe, emphasising that he still has much to improve on at the elite level if he wants to become a success at Elland Road.

Availability is the greatest ability, according to some, though the fact he has missed 100 matches since 2020/21 due to Achilles issues and a cruciate ligament tear leaves alot to be desired ahead of his involvement at Leeds.

Ultimately, Farke will know Justin has strong traits as a full-back due to his speed and ability to intercept oncoming attacks, though his deficiencies could outweigh his strenghs in the Premier League if recent indications are anything to go by.

Of Alexander Isak, Arne Slot said, “We have to build him up gradually.” There will be an expectation from some that Liverpool should field their record-breaking recruit from the get-go after such an expensive and charged transfer saga, but this isn’t the case.

And anyway, Liverpool have already integrated Hugo Ekitike into Slot’s squad, with the 23-year-old Frenchman having scored three goals and supplied one assist from his opening four matches in a Red shirt.

There’s no doubt that the Reds have broken the bank this summer; Slot has acknowledged this himself. But with such remarkable and calculated investment, there are the means for healthy rotation that will allow Isak to ease into life on Merseyside after playing so little football over the past three months.

One constant, of course, is the persisting presence of Mohamed Salah on the right flank. Fitness permitting, it’s unlikely the Egyptian King will be hauled from his place on the right wing with any consistency this season.

Salah is 33, though, and Liverpool must begin to plan for their talisman’s departure, with Federico Chiesa and perhaps Jeremie Frimpong the only real alternatives.

Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future

Salah penned a new contract in April, ending fears of a departure on a free transfer at the end of the 2024/25 season. He will stay on the books until 2027, but the chances of another renewal are slim, it must be said.

Last season, he scored 34 goals and served 23 assists across all competitions, practically single-handedly dragging Slot’s Liverpool to the title. That’s not actually true, of course, but there’s no denying Salah’s matchless influence, a strong current at the heart of most of Liverpool’s attacking play.

With a goal and an assist from three Premier League matches so far this season, the veteran will continue to play a big role, although the weight of responsibility has been lifted by the signings of players like Isak and Ekitike.

Might this have a positive effect on Salah, who surely fancies his chances of adding 22 goals to his haul before his time comes at Liverpool, and he eclipses Wayne Rooney and maybe Harry Kane to stand as the Premier League’s second-highest scorer in history?

Alan Shearer

441

260

Harry Kane

320

213

Wayne Rooney

491

208

Mohamed Salah

304

187

Andy Cole

414

187

In any case, Liverpool will need to sign a successor before long, and it’s sure to be a costly bid at that. With that in mind, perhaps FSG might come to regret having sold a young star who has the potential to replace Salah down the line.

Liverpool sold their dream Salah heir

Ben Gannon Doak has been regarded as one of the finest young prospects in British football right from the start of his career in Scotland with Celtic, where he featured four times for the seniors before joining Liverpool in 2022 for €700k (about £600k).

The 19-year-old was billed as Liverpool material, all right, but he only ended up playing ten times for the Reds, injured when breaking through in 2023/24 before spending last season on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough, where he notched ten goal involvements from just 24 matches.

The power and precision that are natural parts of Gannon Doak’s arsenal have led to comparisons with the above-mentioned Rooney, who likewise played with unusual physicality and gusto when emerging at Everton and when finding his feet with Manchester United.

Actually remarked to play “like a Scottish Wayne Rooney” in 2024 by his agent Jackie McNamara, the teenager’s style and performances so far lend credence to the comparisons, for sure.

Thanks to data platform FBref, we can note that Doak ranked among the top 5% of positional peers in the Championship last year for assists, the top 5% for key passes, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for progressive carries per 90.

Rooney, as we have seen earlier, retired as one of the most prolific and decorated players in Premier League history. As yet, Gannon Doak has but three appearances to his name in England’s top flight, and searches for his duck-breaking goal.

But the talent is there, it really is, and Liverpool might come to regret having sold the youngster to Bournemouth, even for a £25m fee, even with a buyback clause wedged into that contract on the south coast.

Former Scotland manager Craig Levein certainly recognised Gannon Doak’s potential from the off, saying, “This kid could be a world-class player.”

The evidence hardly suggests the contrary. Sure, the winger has one long road to travel before entering conversations even on the fringes of the park in which Salah sits, but his athletic style, powerful running and direct approach against defenders all suggest such a future is within the realm of possibility.

Furthermore, he demonstrated when on loan at Middlesbrough a capacity for show-stopping goals to complement his physical qualities and success as a playmaker.

Bournemouth have got themselves a gem. Because Gannon Doak has opted to follow the track taken by Dominic Solanke before him and many more sharing similarities of pathway, leaving an elite outfit to develop their skills in a setting more promotive of rising prospects looking to reach the top.

As with Rooney at Everton early on, Gannon Doak might now find himself in line to rise to the fore and stand out in the Premier League, playing under Andoni Iraola’s wing and blooming into a top talent.

Maybe the plan is for the player to enjoy several seasons with the Cherries before returning to Anfield with a more refined touch, but the details of the buyback clause are unknown, and there’s every chance that Gannon Doak has played his last for Liverpool and will instead go from strength to strength elsewhere.

He wanted to join City: Liverpool have already sold an Isak-esque talent

Liverpool have made wholesale changes in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 12, 2025

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher described one Reds player as “really poor” alongside Milos Kerkez during the 1-0 victory away to Burnley.

Liverpool leave it late to stun Burnley

Yet again, the Reds left it late to win a Premier League game on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah’s last-gasp penalty sealing a priceless win at Turf Moor.

Liverpool are yet to get going this season, in terms of performance level, but their ability to go until the very end of matches is proving to be a priceless asset to have, ensuring they top the table with maximum points.

One player who struggled at Burnley was Kerkez, who was booked for a shocking dive and then substituted in place of Andy Robertson before half-time, with Arne Slot admitting he couldn’t trust the Hungarian to avoid getting a second yellow card.

Speaking on commentary for Sky Sports, Carragher made it clear what he thought of Kerkez’s awful attempts to win a penalty, lambasting the left-back.

“I mean it was a dive, no doubt about that. I don’t think anybody in the stadium thought it wasn’t, it was so theatrical. I mean it was absolutely stupid, that. I don’t think there’s any contact there really, and he’s in a good position! I think he can hook his foot around that and get a cross in. As soon as I seen him make that run I thought he’s gonna be in a really good position on the byline.”

Carragher slams "really poor" Liverpool legend

Kerkez wasn’t the only player who felt the wrath of Carragher in the commentary box, however, with Salah also criticised for his current form, despite his match-winning penalty.

“He’s been really poor again. He just hasn’t really hit those heights of last season so far this season. It was always going to be difficult. But he doesn’t look at the races right now.”

In fairness to Carragher, he does have a valid point with Salah, even though the manner in which he buried the spot-kick was emphatic, outlining the strength of mind he possesses in big moments.

The Liverpool superstar has actually made a very disappointing start to the season, in terms of his all-round involvement in matches, and his general decision-making.

Granted, Salah is adjusting to a new system with Florian Wirtz in it, getting used to new teammates such as the German, Kerkez and Hugo Ekitiké, but the Reds need their iconic attacker to up his level in the coming weeks.

Big-money Liverpool star is now in danger of becoming Slot's new Nunez

Arne Slot will already be concerned that this expensive Liverpool attacker is turning into his next Darwin Nunez.

2 ByKelan Sarson Sep 15, 2025

At 33, it is only natural that some may begin to start writing Salah off, with his pace not what it was, but it is more likely that he is simply out of form. It should also never be forgotten that the passing of Diogo Jota could be affecting him, too, with all of Liverpool’s players still in the grieving process.

Hampshire have signed South Africa batter Dewald Brevis to play in their Vitality T20 Blast campaign. Brevis, 21, will also be available for Hamphire’s two County Championship fixtures during the break in the Blast.Brevis joins fellow South African overseas signing Lhuan-dre Pretorius in an attacking Hampshire batting line-up, with the 2022 champions looking to secure a return to Finals Day.Brevis, who won his two T20I caps in 2023, has made his name in franchise tournaments around the world, including playing in the IPL, CPL and MLC, as well as the SA20, where he was the sixth-highest run-scorer with 291 at a strike rate of 184.17, helping MI Cape Town to their first title.He has also made a solid start to his first-class career, with three hundreds in 17 matches and an average of 38.14.”I’m hugely excited about joining Hampshire Hawks for the Vitality Blast this summer, the team has a great history in the competition, and I look forward to being a part of that,” he said.”It’s great we have Lhuan-dre with us as well and hopefully we can put on a good show and entertain the crowd at Utilita Bowl on our way to reaching Finals Day and lifting the trophy. I’m also looking forward to playing in the County Championship, the team were so close last year, and I hope I can help the club push for the title in 2025.”Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White, said: “Dewald is an exceptional young player who will add firepower to our batting line-up this summer. He will arrive having enjoyed good recent form, and alongside Lhuan-dre Pretorius we will have two young cricketers that are hungry to make their mark.”

Matt Jansen has, in an exclusive chat with GOAL, explained why Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard would be a good fit for the manager’s job at Wrexham. He has also admitted that Jose Mourinho would likely relish the “drama” of working alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac in front of documentary cameras if the opportunity ever arose for him to take the reins at SToK Racecourse.

Parkinson questions: Speculation at Wrexham

Former England captain Gerrard appears to be closing in on a return to coaching at Old Firm giants Rangers. He previously led them to Scottish Premiership title glory in 2020-21, before going on to take in forgettable stints at the helm of Aston Villa and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.

Gerrard may be heading back to Glasgow as there is no role for him to fill in North Wales for now. The odd question has been asked of Phil Parkinson’s future as Wrexham boss this season, but he has made history with the Red Dragons when guiding them to three successive promotions and up into the Championship.

AdvertisementGettyGerrard, Mourinho, Dyche, Allardyce: Who fits Wrexham?

He has plenty of credit in the bank as a result, but speculation continues to rage regarding a potential move from Wrexham to appoint a so-called ‘bigger name’. Quizzed on whether that could happen, former Red Dragons striker Jansen – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “There is always going to be names linked to it – the razzmatazz around it, the Hollywood theme. There are always going to be names linked to it, that’s the nature of the beast.

“Will Parkinson stay there? Will a bigger name come in? Would a Steven Gerrard be interested in a similar thing to what Frank Lampard is doing at Coventry? Then you have got Graham Potter, who is out of work now. You’ve got Sean Dyche, who is vastly experienced. Then you’ve got Big Sam [Allardyce], who is always there or thereabouts. There are always going to be names dotted about. Phil Parkinson has done a fantastic job so far. How long that will continue, who knows.”

Pressed on whether a starring role on ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ would appeal to ‘Special One’ Mourinho, Jansen added: “He’s just gone to Benfica and they are in the Champions League, so would he drop to the Championship? You can never tell with Mourinho, he loves the attention. It would be a drama that he would probably relish. I can’t see him leaving Benfica, but you can never say never.”

Did Wrexham learn from Birmingham's failed Rooney experiment?

Parkinson retains the full support of Reynolds, Mac and the Wrexham board for now, with there acceptance at the Racecourse that change is not always a good thing. Profile is not the most important factor either when it comes to club management, with Birmingham City having seen their fingers burned when appointing Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney – who contributed to them suffering relegation into League One.

Asked if Wrexham will have taken lessons from that failed experiment at St Andrew's, Jansen said: “Possibly. But then look at Frank Lampard and how well he has done. Steven Gerrard did really well at Rangers, has been out in Saudi and is vastly experienced. Different characters. One manager is going to succeed, one’s not.

“I think Steven Gerrard would be a suitable fit if Parkinson was to go. A leader, a captain – that’s not to say that Rooney isn’t a good manager, but it didn’t work out for him. You can never say who will be successful as a manager. I’m sure Steven Gerrard would relish the chance at Wrexham, and living not far away. It could be a good fit.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWrexham fixtures & points total: Next up for Red Dragons

Wrexham are currently enjoying a rest period during the international break. They played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Tom Brady’s Birmingham in their last Championship fixture and, with 10 points being picked up through nine fixtures this season, will be back in action on October 18 when taking in a strip to Stoke City.

Amazingly, Leeds United’s record at this early stage in the Premier League season lines up well to their positive start out of the blocks under Marcelo Bielsa during the 2020/21 season.

Directly after sealing promotion up to the big-time, the much-loved South American would steer the Whites to an unbelievable ninth final position, having initially picked up two wins from his side’s opening five clashes in the league.

Daniel Farke already has two victories under his belt, too, with the 3-1 success away at Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out further mirroring Leeds sides of old when it came to the clinical nature of their first-half display.

Of course, there is still a long way to go, but the German will be hoping he can pull off a similarly high finish down the line.

Leeds will no doubt feel a boost knowing Ao Tanaka is also slowly but surely returning to full fitness, with the Japanese midfielder going down as an instant revelation in the Championship.

The shrewd capture of Tanaka

The Whites really did win in the summer transfer market before embarking on their promotion adventure, as the likes of Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon joined to enhance the defence, while Manor Solomon added more quality up top on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Yet, snapping up the services of Tanaka for just £2.9m from Fortuna Düsseldorf managed to slip under the initial radar.

However, it’s safe to say that Tanaka is now a well-known and much-loved presence at Elland Road, with the silky 27-year-old going on to collect five goals and two assists last campaign on the way to Farke and Co. returning to the Premier League.

He made such a blistering impact to proceedings that Farke would even label him as “unbelievable” for what he can offer, with those glowing words backed up by his well-rounded game when averaging both a 90% pass accuracy last season, while also getting stuck in with 4.3 duels per second-tier clash, as per Sofascore.

Further noted as being “difficult to dislodge” from the starting XI by Paul Robinson last season, it is testament to Leeds’ collective strengths so far this campaign that they haven’t been derailed by Tanaka’s injury issues.

While Tanaka has been sidelined, another astute capture achieved this summer has stood out, with the cost-effective buy perhaps going down as Leeds’ best foray in the market since the £2.9m deal to bring the number 22 to English shores.

Leeds have made their best signing since Tanaka

After all, Leeds have managed to bolster their midfield positions this summer, away from solely relying on more of Tanaka’s magic up a division.

Indeed, Anton Stach is also in the running to be considered Leeds’ smartest purchase since landing the Japan international last year, with the versatile 26-year-old costing £20m and proving to be worth all that cash alone just based on this fierce free-kick being hammered home at Molineux.

Wth an assist also next to his name, it’s clear that Leeds have struck gold already with another standout buy from the Bundesliga.

Yet, it could well be argued that Gabriel Gudmundsson is actually a better buy than Stach, despite his electric start to life in West Yorkshire, with the arrival of the Swede making the Whites feel far more assured about their problematic left-back spot.

While Leeds did recruit well when making the step-up, it was a clear body blow when Junior Firpo exited the building this summer, with the former Whites hero amassing ten assists last season from the left-back position.

This left Farke and Co. in a considerable spot of bother as Sam Byram was now the only recognised option on the left. Thankfully, Leeds would seal a deal to bring Gudmundsson for just £10m to fill the Firpo-shaped hole, with this looking to be a worthwhile bargain already.

Gudmundsson – PL stats

Stat – per 90 mins*

Gudmundsson

Games played

5

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches*

63.2

Accurate passes*

31.6 (81%)

Ball recoveries*

3.6

Clearances*

3.8

Total duels won*

4.2

Stats by Sofascore

Minus his own-goal horror show away at Fulham, Gudmundsson has been a solid addition, with his calming influence on the ball different to that of a gung-ho Firpo, but more effective in the Premier League.

Moreover, with 4.2 duels won on average, he has more than helped Leeds to pick up those two invaluable victories, with three duels successfully won on the road at the Old Gold. He was arguably the club’s “best player” in that latest victory.

Heralded as a “fantastic” addition to the camp already by ex-Leeds defender Tony Dorigo, it could well be that the Malmo-born star goes on to be viewed as another Tanaka-like bargain, particularly if his efforts steer the Whites to immediate survival and, potentially, even more.

Related Leeds star spotted "limping" and may now be injured alongside Jayden Bogle

One of Leeds’ replacement players has had his own injury concerns.

Posts ByCallum Kemp Sep 21, 2025

Leeds United finally scored a goal from open play in the Premier League in their exciting 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home on Saturday.

The Whites had only scored one goal, a penalty against Everton, in their opening four matches of the top-flight campaign, which created concerns over the attacking quality within the group.

Daniel Farke’s side hit back at the critics with three goals in the first half at the Molineux, two coming from open play, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach, and Noah Okafor all got themselves on the scoresheet.

Stach’s goal was the pick of the bunch. The summer signing from Hoffenheim’s belting free-kick into the top corner was a beautiful goal, and he followed that up with an assist for Okafor’s strike.

That win does not put all concerns over the quality of the squad to bed, though, firstly because Wolves have lost all five of their matches in the division and appear to be one of the weaker teams in the league.

Secondly, because there are still some players in the team who are yet to reach lift-off in the Premier League, Brenden Aaronson is one of them.

Why Brenden Aaronson needs to step up for Leeds

To his credit, the USA international is a hard-working player who will always put in a shift and leave everything on the pitch with his relentless pressing and desire to win possession back.

Unfortunately, though, Aaronson’s lack of physicality often means that his hard work goes unrewarded at Premier League level, because opposition players are faster and stronger than him.

For example, the USNMT star has not won a single aerial duel in the division so far, across five appearances, per Sofascore, and he has already been dribbled past six times, ranking in the bottom 6% of wingers in the league in that statistic, per FotMob.

Aaronson showed flashes of quality in the Championship last season, scoring nine goals and providing two assists in 46 matches, but he has yet to prove that he is good enough for the Premier League.

His performances when the West Yorkshire outfit were last in the big time do not help the idea that he is not up to scratch at this level, as he was not up to the task in the 2022/23 campaign.

Appearances

36

xG

3.86

Goals

1

xA

2.59

Assists

3

Ground duel success rate

43%

Aerial duel success rate

17%

As you can see in the table above, Aaronson hugely underperformed in front of goal and lost the majority of his duels on the deck and in the air in that season, as Leeds were relegated from the Premier League.

This is why the 24-year-old attacker has to step up in the present day and start to show that he can deliver goals and assists on a regular basis, having failed to provide any goal contributions in five league games so far this term.

The lack of quality provided by Aaronson at the top end of the pitch should enhance the feeling of regret that the club should have for cashing in on a player who has gone on to be even better than the former RB Salzburg star.

Leeds had Polish attacking midfielder Mateusz Bogusz on their books before they decided to cash in on him in March 2023, for a fee of £874k, per Transfermarkt.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

What the versatile forward has achieved since moving on from Elland Road suggests that the Whites had a mare by allowing him to move on for a fee that was less than £1m.

Why Leeds United should have kept Mateusz Bogusz

Bogusz only played three times for the first-team, starting two of those matches, at Leeds before his move to LAFC in 2023, which means that the midfield star did not get many opportunities to shine in West Yorkshire.

The Poland international’s transfer to the MLS provided him with the chance to play regular football and showcase his quality at the top end of the pitch week-in-week-out, and he grasped that chance with both hands.

Bogusz, who was hailed as a “dangerous” player by reporter Greg Beacham, scored 24 goals and provided 19 assists in 90 matches for LAFC in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he provided goals and assists on a regular basis.

The 24-year-old star, who is the same age as Aaronson, proved that he could produce consistent performances in the final third, mostly playing as an attacking midfielder for the American outfit.

Appearances

36

46

xG

9.20

11.43

Goals

16

9

Big chances created

9

9

xA

6.11

6.05

Assists

8

2

As you can see in the table above, Bogusz’s performances in the MLS during the 2024 season were more impressive, particularly from a goalscoring perspective, than Aaronson’s were in the Championship for Farke’s dominant side.

These statistics suggest that the Whites would have been better off with the Poland international in the number ten position, because he could have offered more quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals at the top end of the pitch.

As well as missing out on a quality player, Leeds also missed out on a bigger payday. Cruz Azul swooped in to sign the attacking midfielder for a fee of £7.4m in January of this year, which is significantly more than the £874k that the Whites raked in for his services in 2023.

At the time of writing (23/09/2025), Bogusz is valued at £6.5m by Transfermarkt after a return of two goals and seven assists in 32 outings for the Mexican side. This means that his value has soared by 644% from the £874k that he was sold for less than three years ago.

It's not Darlow: Leeds star is in danger of becoming their new Meslier

This Leeds United star is in danger of becoming the next Illan Meslier at Elland Road.

ByDan Emery Sep 16, 2025

Therefore, Leeds must regret cashing in on Bogusz for multiple reasons, because he would be an upgrade on one of the club’s current attackers, Aaronson, and because they missed out on millions.

Arsenal have been handed a Noni Madueke injury blow as Mikel Arteta receives some news about the in-form summer signing.

Noni Madueke subbed off half-time with injury in Man City draw

The England winger’s electric start to life in north London has attracted due praise, with Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera arguably standing out as Andrea Berta’s finest purchases thus far.

Arteta has started Madueke in five out of Arsenal’s first six games in all competitions so far, and the England international has repaid that faith by terrorising full-backs with his trickery, burst of pace and initiative in the final third.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£5m

Martin Zubimendi

£60m

Christian Norgaard

£15m

Noni Madueke

£52m

Cristhian Mosquera

£13m

Viktor Gyokeres

£55m

Eberechi Eze

£67.5m

Piero Hincapie

Loan

Just months ago, Gunners supporters were protesting the ex-Chelsea star’s arrival with a petition and ‘#NoToMadueke’ movement on social media platform X, but fast-forward to now, and those same fans are now very worried about a potential long-term injury for him.

Madueke has also shined for the Three Lions under Thomas Tuchel on international duty, and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville is among the critics to admit they’ve been left surprised by the 23-year-old’s excellent performances in an Arsenal shirt.

In place of the previously injured Bukayo Saka, Madueke dazzled on the right-wing, but Arteta now faces the prospect of being without him.

The former PSV Eindhoven forward was forced off at half-time in Arsenal’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Man City on Sunday, and there are some fears that Madueke may have suffered an ACL injury.

If that were the case, he’d face months on the sidelines, but luckily for Arteta, it appears his problem isn’t as serious as that.

That being said, he’s still set for a lengthy spell out.

Arsenal dealt Noni Madueke blow as David Ornstein shares news

The reliable David Ornstein reports that Madueke avoided an ACL tear, but will be unavailable for around two months with a knee injury, putting his return date during the November international break, meaning he could play against Tottenham on November 23.

While he is yet to get off the mark in terms of goals or assists, Madueke has been without question one of Arteta’s best players of the campaign so far, so this is undoubtedly a blow for Arsenal.

Noni Madueke form at Arsenal prompts Chelsea regret

The winger was Arsenal’s most threatening player in their 1-0 loss to Liverpool prior to the last international break, before he put in a Man of the Match display against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, whilst also impressing in the first hour of their 5-0 win over Leeds United.

Arsenal’s new £150,000-per-week star is looking like the player who expensive flop Nicolas Pepe was supposed to be, except Madueke didn’t cost a seismic £72 million to bring in.

There are some suggestions that high-ranking Chelsea chiefs held reservations over selling Madueke to Arsenal, and so far, he’s shown exactly why.